Staff Appreciation Week 2019 is Tuesday, May 21 through Friday, May 24. We’ll celebrate staff and their contributions to the University of California’s newest campus in Field of Dreams style of "If you build it, they will come." Events and activities for Professional Staff included in details below.
Staff are encouraged to dress up in their favorite Field of Dreams movie attire (ex. baseball jersey).
All activities are free of charge. If you see a $0.00 commerce item related to an activity or event, it is to assist us with registration limits.
Please bring your CatCard to all activities.
Please be aware that you will receive an email confirmation shortly following successful completion of your online registration. If you do not receive an email, please call 209-228-2391 or mpeyvandi@ucmerced.edu to verify your registration.
T-Shirt Pickup Information
T-shirts can be picked up in Lantern or DCC Lobby or on Monday, May 20th from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM and Tuesday, May 21st during Staff Breakfast in Dining Pavilion.
Tour Information
Tours fill up quickly. If you reserve a space for any tour, arrive early; your space may be given to a “stand-by” participant at the tour start time. If you can’t make it, please notify Mort Peyvandi ahead of time at mpeyvandi@ucmerced.edu.
Those who are interested in tours that are full can show up as “stand by” participants and take the spaces of those who don’t arrive by the meeting time.
Parking Information
Parking will be relaxed in both North Bowl 2 and Scholars lots from May 21st through May 24th, 2019.
We encourage Staff to carpool.
If You Build It, They Will Come! Photo Gallery
Share your photos with us
- Go to Staff Appreciation Week 2019 album
- Drag your photos & videos or browse your computer
- For mobile users, you will see Add Photo
- Once you click on Add Photos, it will allow you to “Take Photo or Video” or access your photos in “Photo Library”
- Once you upload your image(s) and it's completed uploading them, you will get a message saying “Hooray! That’s # happier photo. :)
- Click on Done
- You will be redirected to the gallery
Social Media
During Staff Appreciation Week 2019, please use #ucmsaw2019.
Activity List
Tuesday, May 21
Staff Breakfast | 7:30 AM - 9:00 AM | Dining Pavilion
Please join us for Staff Breakfast at Dining Pavilion. This event will be sponsored by Division of Finance and Administration, led by Michael Riley, Interim Vice Chancellor and Chief Financial Officer.
Staff are encouraged to dress up in their favorite Field of Dreams movie attire (ex. baseball jersey).
Community Garden Tour | 9:00 AM - 11:45 AM | Meet at the Community Garden (corner of Mammoth Lakes Road & Ranchers Road)
The UC Merced Campus Community Garden tour will provide an opportunity to see and learn about the campus garden activities while providing a bit of relaxation in the outdoors. Attendees are encouraged to bring water.
Maximum of 15 people per tour
Housing Tour | 9:00 AM - 11:45 AM | Meet at Dining Pavilion steps (steps closest to new residence halls)
Ever wonder where our students sleep, eat or relax when they live on campus? Please join us for a housing tour of our newest residence hall and get a behind the scenes look before our summer students move in!
Maximum of 20 people per tour
Vernal Pools Grassland Tour | 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM | Meet at main Reserve gate (corner of Ansel Adams Road and Ranchers Road)
Wear comfortable shoes and bring water for this guided walk in the Vernal Pools & Grassland Reserve. We’ll examine a few vernal pools, the land around them, and the animals that live here. If you have binoculars, you are encouraged to bring them!
Maximum of 20 people per tour
Central Plant Tour | 9:00 AM - 11:45 AM | Meet at the Pathway Between SE1 & SE2
Come get a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to make the campus run. Discover what that big, silver tank does and learn the mysteries of the tunnel. Warning: Tour may include scenes of extreme geekiness. Jokes may be too bad for most audiences.
Maximum of 25 people per tour
2020 Tour | 9:00 AM - 11:45 PM | Meet at Dining Pavilion steps (steps closest to new residence halls)
This year the Office of Space Planning and Analysis will be providing walking tours of the 2020 Project via Academic Walk. Please note this tour will not involve entering the construction site. Walking tours will consist of sharing building program, key features, and answering questions regarding the 2020 Project.
Maximum of 20 people per tour
Merced Feud & Trivia | Preliminary Quiz
This year UC Merced has an exciting opportunity to bring popular gameshow Merced Feud to our campus as the Staff Appreciation Week game! This is sponsored by Staff Assembly and the Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost. However, before your team can advance to play in a live round of Merced Feud – hosted by the Merced Playhouse – you must score in the top 8 in a preliminary quiz.
Teams should include 5 professional staff members. There will be an option to sign up as an individual and be placed on a team if a team is available. Please note the information below will be required at sign up. The deadline to register as a team or individual is Wednesday, May 1st.
Wednesday, May 22
Staff Appreciation Picnic | 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM | Dining Pavilion (please note updated location for this event)
Time to relax in the Dining Pavilion with your colleagues! Enjoy some good food from Big Vic’s BBQ! This event will be sponsored by Chancellor Leland.
Menu
- Angus Beef Tri-Tip
- Grilled Chicken
- Yukon Golden Potatoes
- Spring Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette
- Dinner Rolls with Butter
- Bottled Water/Soft Drinks
- Dippin’ Dots for Dessert!
- Vegan Option - only available for those who pre-register and select vegan
Activities
- Live DJ
- Photo Booth
Thursday, May 23
Vernal Pools Grassland Tour | 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM | Meet at main Reserve gate (corner of Ansel Adams Road and Ranchers Road)
Wear comfortable shoes and bring water for this guided walk in the Vernal Pools & Grassland Reserve. We’ll examine a few vernal pools, the land around them, and the animals that live here. If you have binoculars, you are encouraged to bring them!
Maximum of 20 people per tour
Merced Feud | 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM | COB2-110
Come and cheer staff as they compete head-to-head in Merced Feud.
Team match-ups
- 11:00 AM - Bad News Bobcats vs. We’re RAD Too
- 11:45 AM - F.A.S.T. vs. Fun Time
- 12:30 PM - Baconators vs. DARS Allstars
- 1:15 PM - Down Wit DPP vs. GradDivas
Friday, May 24
UC Walks | 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM | Various Locations
Join us for the 10th Annual UC Walks event on Friday, May 24, 2019 from 8:30am - 11:30am at various on and off-campus locations. UC Walks brings together faculty and staff to take a walk, share wellness tips, and enjoy the spring sunshine. All UC Merced faculty and staff are invited to participate! Please RSVP if you would like to participate in this event. This event is presented by Human Resources.
Please plan to meet 15 minutes before your scheduled walk so you can check-in to be entered into a drawing for prizes and pick up your FREE UC Walks t-shirt (while supplies last).
Meeting locations:
- Campus - Meet at the Yablokoff-Wallace Dinning Center
- Downtown Campus Center - Meet in the Lobby
- Castle - Meet at the Main Entrance Lobby
- Fresno Center - Meet in the Front Lobby
- Promenade - Meet in the Lobby
Ice Cream Social | 11:30 PM - 1:00 PM | Various Locations
Enjoy ice cream while listening to some tunes.
Meeting locations:
- Campus - Scholars Lane outside KL
- Downtown Campus Center - Meet in the Lobby
